PD days for students have decreased since the 90s

WINNIPEG — Professional Development days have been a part of the school system for decades, but some parents say it can be tough to find extra childcare throughout the year.

“For parents it’s difficult. they have to put their kids into daycare and that runs up the bills at the end of the month,” one parent told Global News.

After breaking down the numbers Global News found despite what some parents may think, the number of PD days has remained almost the same for decades.

Across all school divisions in Winnipeg, there are 193 school days in a year. Ten of those are used as PD days and that hasn’t changed in 20 years, prior to that there were 11.

More numbers showed teachers get 20 sick days per year, which can be rolled over until they accumulate 125 days.

They also get 2 personal days per year and that came into effect in the last 10 years. The superintendent of the Seven Oaks School Division said teachers only actually use on average about 10 sick days per year.

“Teachers are around a lot of kids who are sneezing and helping them wipe their noses and a little more prone to flues and colds,” Brian O’Learly said.

O’Leary also said that PD days are essential for the school environment and they are looking at scheduling them more efficiently.

“One of the things we’re trying to do is standardize them across the school division or city, so if you’re looking for childcare the high school kids are out and there’s a supply of babysitters.”